Paying

When it comes to paying the bill, make sure you know how much the procedure costs upfront. Like any other hospital, there tend to be additional costs, so be crystal clear on what you're getting charged for to avoid confusion and imminent "I got ripped off" rage. Local private clinics also have a lot of deals and discounts, so don't be afraid to ask for one.

Do you accept this type of insurance?
您們接受這種類型的保險嗎？
Nǐn men jiē shòu zhè zhǒng lèi xíng de bǎo xiǎn ma

What type of insurance do you accept?
您們接受什么類型的保險？
Nǐn men jiē shòu shén me lèi xíng de bǎo xiǎn

What is this additional cost for?
這附加費用是什么呢？
Zhè fù jiā fèi yòng shì shén me ne

Do you accept foreign credit cards?
您接受外國信用卡嗎？
Nǐn jiē shòu wài guó xìn yòng kǎ ma

Do you have any discounts at the moment?
您現在有打折嗎？
Nín xiàn zài yǒu dǎ zhé ma

Can you give me an invoice?
您能給我開發票嗎？
Nín néng gěi wǒ kāi fā piào ma

Going to a local dentist in a country where you don't speak the language fluently can be very intimidating, but when push comes to shove (aka when the toothache becomes unbearable), some things just need to be done. The truth is, once you overcome the initial fear of dentists in general, all you need to do is memorize or make a note of basic dental terms that are relevant to your condition. After that, all you need to do is have a little courage to step into the clinic (and hope you don't get the window seat).

After you leave your first dental appointment in Beijing, we guarantee a wave of relief will wash over you. You'll not only feel better physically but also mentally – now that you've navigated a local dentist in China, you can pretty much do anything. Just remember: the stigma is real, people, and you mustn't be afraid to overcome it.

Key Vocab

Appointment
預約
yù yuē

Cavity
蟲牙
chóng yá

Dental braces
牙套
yá tào

Dental crown
牙冠
yá guān

Dentist
口腔醫院
kǒu qiāng yī yuàn

Insurance
保險
bǎo xiǎn

Oral check up
口腔檢查
kǒu qiāng jiǎn chá

Root canal treatment
根管治療
gēn guǎn zhì liáo

Teeth cleaning
清潔牙齒，洗牙
qīng jié yá chǐ, xǐ yá

Teeth veneer
牙貼
yá tiē

Teeth whitening
牙齒美白
yá chǐ měi bái

Toothache
牙疼
yá téng

Tooth decay
蛀牙
zhù yá

Tooth extraction
拔牙
bá yá

Tooth filling
補牙
bǔ yá

Types of teeth

Molar
磨牙
mó yá

Premolar
前磨牙
qián mó yá

Canine
犬齒
quǎn chǐ

Front teeth
門牙
mén yá

Source: The Beijinger
Editor: wanwan